In the high-stakes world of professional darts, where precision and mental fortitude reign supreme, the practice room serves as a crucible for players honing their craft and psyching themselves up for battle. Gerwyn Price, a former world champion known for his fiery competitiveness, recently offered a rare glimpse into the backstage dynamics of the darts circuit, shedding light on the demeanor of teenage sensation Luke Littler in these critical pre-match moments. As the two prepare for their next clash in the Premier League, Price’s observations paint a vivid picture of a young prodigy who is both reserved and relentlessly focused, commanding respect and attention in equal measure.
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old world champion, has taken the darts world by storm, his meteoric rise drawing comparisons to legends like Phil Taylor. Yet, despite his record-breaking performances and a staggering tournament average of 104 in the 2025 Premier League, Littler remains an enigma to many of his peers in the practice room. Price, who has faced the young star multiple times, described Littler’s approach with a mix of admiration and competitive candor. “I just love the way he is around the practice room,” Price remarked. “He doesn’t really engage with players, he keeps himself to himself and just gets up there and plays darts and plays darts well.” This focus, Price noted, is a key factor in Littler’s ability to dominate, even against seasoned veterans like himself.
The practice room, often a hub of banter and subtle mind games, reveals much about a player’s character. Littler, according to Price, opts for a solitary approach, avoiding the chatter that players like Michael van Gerwen use to “get in each other’s heads.” This was vividly illustrated in Littler’s recounting of his exchanges with van Gerwen, where the Dutchman playfully challenges him over how many darts they’ll take to throw for the bullseye. “He’ll go, ‘How many you want? Three darts, six darts before we throw for the bull?’” Littler shared, adding with a grin, “I go, ‘I’ll have nine, Michael,’ as we always have nine. I always win the bull every time!” Such moments highlight the psychological chess match that unfolds behind the scenes, but Littler’s ability to stay composed sets him apart.
Price’s respect for Littler is palpable, despite their fierce rivalry. The Welshman, nicknamed “The Iceman,” has had the upper hand in their recent encounters, winning six consecutive matches against Littler in the 2025 Premier League. Yet, even after his 6-3 victory in Nottingham, where Price capitalized on Littler’s uncharacteristic 23.08% double success rate compared to his own 54.55%, he was quick to praise his opponent’s potential. “Luke Littler is the best player in the world at the minute – and he is going to be for some years,” Price declared. He went further, predicting that Littler could surpass Phil Taylor’s record of 16 world titles, a bold statement given the competitive depth of the modern game. “Only the younger generations can stop him, we can’t stop him,” Price added, acknowledging the inevitability of Littler’s continued ascent.
Despite his losses to Price, Littler’s dominance in the 2025 Premier League is undeniable. With 26 points at the halfway mark, he sits eight points clear of second-placed Luke Humphries, having secured four nightly wins, including triumphs in Glasgow, Brighton, Cardiff, and Newcastle. His ability to produce high-scoring legs—evidenced by nearly double the 180s of any other player—has made him a fan favorite and a formidable opponent. However, Price’s success against him underscores a tactical edge: efficiency in closing out legs. Littler’s average of 99.87 against Price is higher than the Welshman’s 98.3, but Price’s ability to win legs within 15 darts—49% compared to Littler’s 40%—has proven decisive. “He’s too good not to beat me and beat everyone else,” Price conceded, hinting that their rivalry will only intensify.
As the Premier League heads toward its climax at London’s O2 Arena on May 29, the darts world is abuzz with anticipation for the next chapter in this compelling matchup. Price, buoyed by his recent resurgence and work with a sports psychologist, remains confident but wary of Littler’s potential to turn the tables. “I’m happy he’s in my pocket for a little while, but I’m not sure for how long,” he quipped. Littler, meanwhile, continues to rewrite the record books, his quiet intensity in the practice room a harbinger of the brilliance he unleashes on stage. For fans, the contrast between Price’s seasoned grit and Littler’s youthful audacity promises more electrifying encounters in the weeks to come.
# Gerwyn Price Offers Insight into Luke Littler’s Practice Room Presence
In the high-stakes world of professional darts, where precision and mental fortitude reign supreme, the practice room serves as a crucible for players honing their craft and psyching themselves up for battle. Gerwyn Price, a former world champion known for his fiery competitiveness, recently offered a rare glimpse into the backstage dynamics of the darts circuit, shedding light on the demeanor of teenage sensation Luke Littler in these critical pre-match moments. As the two prepare for their next clash in the Premier League, Price’s observations paint a vivid picture of a young prodigy who is both reserved and relentlessly focused, commanding respect and attention in equal measure.
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old world champion, has taken the darts world by storm, his meteoric rise drawing comparisons to legends like Phil Taylor. Yet, despite his record-breaking performances and a staggering tournament average of 104 in the 2025 Premier League, Littler remains an enigma to many of his peers in the practice room. Price, who has faced the young star multiple times, described Littler’s approach with a mix of admiration and competitive candor. “I just love the way he is around the practice room,” Price remarked. “He doesn’t really engage with players, he keeps himself to himself and just gets up there and plays darts and plays darts well.” This focus, Price noted, is a key factor in Littler’s ability to dominate, even against seasoned veterans like himself.
The practice room, often a hub of banter and subtle mind games, reveals much about a player’s character. Littler, according to Price, opts for a solitary approach, avoiding the chatter that players like Michael van Gerwen use to “get in each other’s heads.” This was vividly illustrated in Littler’s recounting of his exchanges with van Gerwen, where the Dutchman playfully challenges him over how many darts they’ll take to throw for the bullseye. “He’ll go, ‘How many you want? Three darts, six darts before we throw for the bull?’” Littler shared, adding with a grin, “I go, ‘I’ll have nine, Michael,’ as we always have nine. I always win the bull every time!” Such moments highlight the psychological chess match that unfolds behind the scenes, but Littler’s ability to stay composed sets him apart.
Price’s respect for Littler is palpable, despite their fierce rivalry. The Welshman, nicknamed “The Iceman,” has had the upper hand in their recent encounters, winning six consecutive matches against Littler in the 2025 Premier League. Yet, even after his 6-3 victory in Nottingham, where Price capitalized on Littler’s uncharacteristic 23.08% double success rate compared to his own 54.55%, he was quick to praise his opponent’s potential. “Luke Littler is the best player in the world at the minute – and he is going to be for some years,” Price declared. He went further, predicting that Littler could surpass Phil Taylor’s record of 16 world titles, a bold statement given the competitive depth of the modern game. “Only the younger generations can stop him, we can’t stop him,” Price added, acknowledging the inevitability of Littler’s continued ascent.
Despite his losses to Price, Littler’s dominance in the 2025 Premier League is undeniable. With 26 points at the halfway mark, he sits eight points clear of second-placed Luke Humphries, having secured four nightly wins, including triumphs in Glasgow, Brighton, Cardiff, and Newcastle. His ability to produce high-scoring legs—evidenced by nearly double the 180s of any other player—has made him a fan favorite and a formidable opponent. However, Price’s success against him underscores a tactical edge: efficiency in closing out legs. Littler’s average of 99.87 against Price is higher than the Welshman’s 98.3, but Price’s ability to win legs within 15 darts—49% compared to Littler’s 40%—has proven decisive. “He’s too good not to beat me and beat everyone else,” Price conceded, hinting that their rivalry will only intensify.
As the Premier League heads toward its climax at London’s O2 Arena on May 29, the darts world is abuzz with anticipation for the next chapter in this compelling matchup. Price, buoyed by his recent resurgence and work with a sports psychologist, remains confident but wary of Littler’s potential to turn the tables. “I’m happy he’s in my pocket for a little while, but I’m not sure for how long,” he quipped. Littler, meanwhile, continues to rewrite the record books, his quiet intensity in the practice room a harbinger of the brilliance he unleashes on stage. For fans, the contrast between Price’s seasoned grit and Littler’s youthful audacity promises more electrifying encounters in the weeks to come.
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